This little volume now starts upon its way to visit the homes of those who, with us, desire above all things the overthrow of the liquor traffic. When it knocks at your door, kindly admit it and treat it as a welcome guest—a loved friend; remain blind to its faults, and see only the good intended. We send it forth, not for its literary merit, not for any honor to ourselves, but as a faithful record of the work accomplished by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the State of New York during

istories are strange things: they uncover so many hidden events, and bring back so many lost memories. A history that traces the beginnings of a reform movement, that weaves the shuttle of memory in and out of the web of the past and presents a perfect woof of fact and incident, is a treasury of knowledge that will not fail to delight and instruct. But the compilation of such a history is no easy task, and especially is this true of an organization with the many ramifications of the Woman's Chri

Esther Lord was born in Carlisle, Schoharie county, New York, in the year 1812. Her father was a Connecticut Yankee, her mother a native of Massachusetts. When Esther was ten years of age her father died, leaving ten children. We know little of the struggles through which they passed before reaching manhood and womanhood. In 1832 she was married to James McNeil, of Carlisle, and together they enlisted under the Washingtonian movement to fight the demon drink. About a month after her marriage she

hen history shall have recorded the events of America's nineteenth century, prominent among them will be the "Woman's Crusade," a movement whose strength, please God, will not be spent until the last legalized saloon has disappeared from this fair land. Hillsboro, Ohio, claims the birthplace, and December 23, 1873, as the birthday of this momentous event. True, from this place and day the influence deepened and widened, spreading to other localities with wonderful rapidity; but to Fredonia, Chau

t soon became apparent that the methods of the crusade could not be continued indefinitely; that in order to strengthen and perpetuate the work already begun organization was necessary. This sentiment prevailed in the State of New York, and many local societies, bearing various names, had already been formed. The initiatory for a state organization was taken by the Woman's Temperance Union of Syracuse, which, at a meeting held September 10, 1874, decided to call a state convention of all women's

Lucy Wood was born in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York, in 1820. Her educational advantages were those offered by the public schools of her native county. Having decided musical tastes she improved the opportunities offered at the city of Albany for their cultivation, early dedicating her gift of song to the causes she loved. She became a Christian when thirteen years old, and by a long and useful Christian life has adorned her profession. In 1841 she was united in marriage with Allen Butl

he first constitution was adopted at Syracuse in October, 1874, but was somewhat modified at the meeting held at Brooklyn in February, 1875, when the name was changed from the "Christian Woman's State League" to "Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the State of New York." The first constitution provided for four general officers, five vice-presidents, and an executive committee of seven, all of whom were to be elected in such manner as might be determined from time to time. A financial basis w

Maria Hyde was born in Oxford, Chenango County, New York, and was educated at the Oxford Academy, now the oldest incorporated academy in this state, having in June last celebrated its centennial. Born and reared in an eminently high spiritual and intellectual atmosphere, she was well qualified for the positions which she filled so acceptably. She was preceptress in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, New York, associate principal of the Seneca Collegiate Institute, also of the Binghamton Aca

t the first annual meeting, held at Ilion, a committee on organization of state was appointed, consisting of Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, of Buffalo; Mrs. Dr. Clary, of Auburn; Mrs. O'Donnell, of Lowville; Mrs. Truair and Miss Noble, of Syracuse. This committee formed plans, and organizers were appointed. Miss Elizabeth Greenwood, of Brooklyn, was the first one who reported work done. At this time those who did organizing work were called state agents. Miss Greenwood, in her first report, suggested the chan

Mrs. Mary Towne Burt, the third president of the New York State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, has occupied that position now for twelve years. If antecedents and previous faithful service are any indication of desert, then indeed she "came to the kingdom" worthily, and we need not wonder that she holds her place easily, nor that the work flourishes abundantly under her administration. Gifted with a fine presence, a pleasing address, and a well-balanced judgment, she is a fitting leader for

he educational work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union has been one of its prominent sources of usefulness. The trend of so many departments has been along this line, that to enter into the details of each would exceed the limit of this historical record. In a memorial presented to the state legislature in 1877 appeared a clause asking that it be made obligatory by law for all teachers to instruct their pupils in temperance. This was the inception of the Scientific Temperance Instruction

Ella, eldest daughter of Colonel Isaac N. and Rebecca Alban Alexander, was born at Van Wert, Ohio. Although but a school-girl then, she was one of the original Ohio crusaders, and the temperance zeal kindled at that time with her has never grown cold. In 1874 she was graduated from the high school of her native place as valedictorian of the class. Four years later she completed her college course at the University of Wooster, Ohio, with a class of thirty-one, only three of whom were young women.

his was the first motto chosen for the Evangelistic Department, and has been the foundation-stone of the work. It will be impossible in this little book to mention the work which has been done—indeed, it could not be recorded—but one is our Master, even Christ, and He knows it all. We can only mention the different lines of work which have come under this head, with the names of those who have acted as superintendents. The Evangelistic Department was placed in charge of Mrs. Mary E. Hartt, of Br

Mrs. Graham is just entering upon the fourth year of her office as corresponding secretary of our state union, and in this time she has eminently proved her fitness for the position and earned the title of "a model secretary." Born in Lockport, N.Y., she became identified with temperance work as a child, first belonging to a juvenile society known as Cold Water Templars, and later becoming a member of the Sons of Temperance and Good Templars. She is active in all Christian work, being a member o

s "all roads lead to Rome," so the legality of temperance measures is reached through legislation; and many times has the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, with memorial, petition, and protest, marched over the roads leading to the legislative halls of municipality, state, and nation, asking for the enacting of new laws or the better enforcement of old ones. This policy was inaugurated at the first convention, in the memorial prepared for presentation to President Grant and Governor Dix, and h

The recording secretary of our state union has filled this important position for twelve years, and was elected for the thirteenth time at Jamestown in October, 1894. She has rare qualifications for the office, as has been evidenced by her faithful services during all these years. She said, "There is positively nothing in my life of the least interest to the public," when requested to furnish a few items for the basis of this sketch. But the life of one who can sit steadily through three long da

ur work is many-sided, but among all the rest the social side has not been neglected. When department work was first taken up, in 1880, a department called "Drawing-Room Meetings" was placed in charge of Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, of Brooklyn, who for two years was the superintendent. The following year Mrs. Margaret Bottome, of New York, now at the head of the order of King's Daughters and Sons, was the superintendent. In 1883 the department was changed to Parlor Meetings and united with Mothers' Me

Mrs. Tenney was born in New Hampshire. Early in life she manifested decided literary and musical tastes—in childhood preferring study to play, and books to dolls. Mathematics, music, and the languages were her especial delight; and to these she applied herself with such assiduity that at fourteen Greek, Latin, French, German, Spanish, and Italian had been added to her English course; at sixteen she commenced to play the organ in church. Mrs. Tenney was not only a graduate of the Rhode Island Nor

arious matters of importance came up at different times during these years for consideration, discussion, and settlement, and in this chapter our aim will be to touch upon these points. The chapter will not be as smooth, perhaps, as a chapter in a story-book, because of necessity many subjects must be introduced, yet our history would not be complete without it. We have searched the records faithfully, and find many items of interest which should be recorded here. No attempt will be made to weav

Scientific temperance instruction—1884. "Age of consent" raised from 10 to 16 years—1887. Prohibiting sale of liquor on fair grounds of state—1888. Prohibiting sale of cigarettes and tobacco to boys under 16 years of age—1890. Forbidding employment of women and girls as barmaids—1892. Forbidding opening of the state's exhibit at World's Fair on Sunday—1892. Preventing introduction of the bill (into the Legislature) legalizing houses of prostitution— 1892....

Scientific temperance instruction—1884. "Age of consent" raised from 10 to 16 years—1887. Prohibiting sale of liquor on fair grounds of state—1888. Prohibiting sale of cigarettes and tobacco to boys under 16 years of age—1890. Forbidding employment of women and girls as barmaids—1892. Forbidding opening of the state's exhibit at World's Fair on Sunday—1892. Preventing introduction of the bill (into the Legislature) legalizing houses of prostitution— 1892.  ...